Jain Journal 2002 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 37

104
JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XXXVII, NO. 2 OCT. 2002
Tirthankaras. Arhantas are those who have conquered all mundane desires and bodily joys and comforts and thus become the enlightened. They are gratified in preaching this divine path to other living beings. Therefore first pūjā has to be offered to them. They are *Arhantas' because they are entitled for the first pūjā : Visosa Pujātisayatvādarhantaḥ'. Even among Panca Paramēşthis, i. c., Arhantas, Siddhas, Ācāryas, Upādhyāyas, Sädhus, they are the first to be worshipped. Arhantas are those who have conquered 'ghātikarma while Siddhas are those who have conquered both 'ghāti and aghātis? karmas. The former, too, have conquered aghāti karma and become the Siddhas. Those who attain ‘Tīrthankara nāma karına bandha' only become ·Arhantas'. In the absence of punya visēșa, with the destruction of karma the sages attain the state of Siddhas. At various stages and bases of Ratnatraya worship (three jewels) of the Sages, Acāryas, Upadhyāyas and Sadhus who are the worshippers of "ratnatraya' and who lead a very austere life, become Sādhakas when they conquer desires. Therefore all these deserve pūjā. Arhantas/Tirthankaras deserve first pūjā in the worship of Nava Devatās (Nine Dictics). The Nava Devatā community consists of Jinadharma, Jaināgama, Jinacaitya' (image), and Caityālayas in addition to pañca Paramësthi. In the Kövalins special pūjā is offered separately to Bāhubali. Besides the Gañadharas and Srutadēvas are also worshipped.
Apart from those mentioned above the Yakşas and Yaksinis who play their role in protecting Dharma and its propagation, are also worshipped. Names of Jina Sāsana Deva-Devīs are found corresponding to each Tirthankara. In all 24 Yaksas and 24 Yaksis are famous with reference to Tīrthańkaras. Chief among them are : Yakşa-Yaksis of Pārsvanātha Tirthankara are : Dharanendra-Padināvnati, YaksaYaksis of Nēminātha Tirthankara are : Sarvānha Yakşa and Kuşmāņdini Yakṣī, Yakşī of Chandraprabha Tīrthankara is Jvālāmālini, Yakși of Sreyāmsa Tīrthankara is Gouri (Yaksa is īśvara). All these are offered special pūjā. These Yaksa and Yaksīs are installed in the basadis, especially of Dharanendra and Padınāvati. These Yakşa and Yakși are worshipped for the reason that they are devotees of Jina, render service to Jina and are the protectors of Jainism.
Sāsana Deva-Devīs are not worshipped on a par with Arhanta. If done so, it will be detrimental to Samyaktva. They are worshipped only for the sake of Vātsalyānga. Even the munis bless them out of Vätsalyanga for them. It is said that the srāvakas offer worship to